IMPORTANT 51B ENDORSEMENT INFORMATION
- The 51B delegate list will be provided to all candidates. Delegates should expect phone calls and/or emails from the candidates.
- We held a candidate forum via Zoom on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. for all 51B endorsement candidates. A recording of the forum is on the Videos page.
- Delegates in 51B will receive the endorsement ballot on Tuesday, May 26. Endorsement ballots must be completed by noon on Sunday, May 31. The only item on the ballot will be the house endorsement. The following precincts are included in 51B: Eagan 3, 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9B, and 11 - 17.
- The endorsement ballot will be completed using Ranked Choice Voting, which means instead of voting for just one person, you can rank all of our candidates from your most favorite to least favorite. If your most favorite candidate gets the least number of votes, that person will be eliminated, and your vote will go to your second favorite candidate. Click here for more information.
- Per Democratic National Committee rules there are no secret ballots, they are part of the public record. The 51B ballot results will not be published but will be provided to the candidates to review during a teller room process.
- Email chair@dfl51.org with any questions.
Meet the Candidates
Liz Reyer
Hello to my neighbors in House District 51B! I’m happy to introduce myself as DFL candidate for State Representative from our district. Eagan has been my home for more than 25 years and I’ve been honored to be represented by Senator Jim Carlson and Representatives Laurie Halverson and Sandra Masin. Now that Laurie is leaving her seat, I‘ve decided to step up to help advance our shared DFL principles. Here’s what I think most important for our community. We must:
On the personal side, I’m married with four adult kids, a demanding cat, and a sweet rescue dog. I love hiking and kayaking, parks, cooking, and learning languages.
I commit to listen, bring together great ideas, think creatively, and work very hard on behalf of you, my community. Please reach out to me at 651-398-4765 or lizreyer28@gmail.com. You can also find more info at lizreyer.com. I want to hear your point of view and earn your support.
Watch Liz's Video.
Liz Reyer
Hello to my neighbors in House District 51B! I’m happy to introduce myself as DFL candidate for State Representative from our district. Eagan has been my home for more than 25 years and I’ve been honored to be represented by Senator Jim Carlson and Representatives Laurie Halverson and Sandra Masin. Now that Laurie is leaving her seat, I‘ve decided to step up to help advance our shared DFL principles. Here’s what I think most important for our community. We must:
- Protect all Minnesotans by ensuring access to health care, healthy food, and clean air and water.
- Work toward an anti-racist society that undoes the structures and attitudes that deny opportunity and actively harm Black and brown communities, indigenous peoples, and all communities of color.
- Protect the rights of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people of all faiths.
- End social and economic discrimination by providing equity in employment, housing, education, and the criminal justice system.
- Deliver sustainable economic growth by investing in clean technology and business models that protect the environment, fight climate change, and keep our people working in good jobs.
On the personal side, I’m married with four adult kids, a demanding cat, and a sweet rescue dog. I love hiking and kayaking, parks, cooking, and learning languages.
I commit to listen, bring together great ideas, think creatively, and work very hard on behalf of you, my community. Please reach out to me at 651-398-4765 or lizreyer28@gmail.com. You can also find more info at lizreyer.com. I want to hear your point of view and earn your support.
Watch Liz's Video.
Jeff Erdmann
I am a husband, father, teacher, and coach who has lived and worked in our school district for over 21 years of my 30 year career. Serving as a state representative requires leadership that is willing to serve others, while promoting the common good. I have been serving the families and their children for my entire career in the classroom and as the head coach football coach of four different communities. I have provided professional, successful leadership while being in the public eye my entire career. The successes I have achieved over my career are directly attributed to developing a culture that lifts up and values every individual in my classroom on one of my teams. I believe this approach is perfectly suited to the job description for being a state representative.
In a shortened campaign like we have now, the Democratic party should be looking for the best candidate to deliver the three most significant attributes needed for a successful campaign.
Because of a recent campaign I ran, we don’t have to start from the beginning or rely on the party for fundraising. We have a list of close to 1,000 contributors that showed their support in a race where I was a significant underdog with no $50 refund program to entice constituents. Through this list and additional outreach we will be able to get caught up very quickly in raising the funds needed to win.
Name recognition is critical for success in state races. Our campaign will be significantly ahead of others in regards to this aspect as well. Through my recent campaign or the reputation of success that I have earned professionally in our school systems over the past two decades, this will also be a strength of my candidacy.
Experience running a campaign is critical to any candidate hoping to win this seat. The experience I gained campaigning all over CD2, making over 12,000 phone calls and participating in campaign events, is a great asset I bring to the Democratic party. The work ethic I have demonstrated my entire life and the opportunity I have to campaign all summer are significant advantages I will have over any candidate from the opposite party.
I learned the hard way in my last campaign how important it is to have the ability to raise money, have strong name recognition, and have experience campaigning. I am very excited now for this opportunity because all three of these aspects are now strengths I can offer the Democratic Party as their candidate for state representative in 51B.
As a life-long Minnesotan I understand the deep values of our state. The current trying times illustrate why we need a state that works for the people who make it great. My personal and professional life have given me the grounding to provide leadership that will benefit District 51B. That is why I am running for the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Watch Jeff's Video.
I am a husband, father, teacher, and coach who has lived and worked in our school district for over 21 years of my 30 year career. Serving as a state representative requires leadership that is willing to serve others, while promoting the common good. I have been serving the families and their children for my entire career in the classroom and as the head coach football coach of four different communities. I have provided professional, successful leadership while being in the public eye my entire career. The successes I have achieved over my career are directly attributed to developing a culture that lifts up and values every individual in my classroom on one of my teams. I believe this approach is perfectly suited to the job description for being a state representative.
In a shortened campaign like we have now, the Democratic party should be looking for the best candidate to deliver the three most significant attributes needed for a successful campaign.
Because of a recent campaign I ran, we don’t have to start from the beginning or rely on the party for fundraising. We have a list of close to 1,000 contributors that showed their support in a race where I was a significant underdog with no $50 refund program to entice constituents. Through this list and additional outreach we will be able to get caught up very quickly in raising the funds needed to win.
Name recognition is critical for success in state races. Our campaign will be significantly ahead of others in regards to this aspect as well. Through my recent campaign or the reputation of success that I have earned professionally in our school systems over the past two decades, this will also be a strength of my candidacy.
Experience running a campaign is critical to any candidate hoping to win this seat. The experience I gained campaigning all over CD2, making over 12,000 phone calls and participating in campaign events, is a great asset I bring to the Democratic party. The work ethic I have demonstrated my entire life and the opportunity I have to campaign all summer are significant advantages I will have over any candidate from the opposite party.
I learned the hard way in my last campaign how important it is to have the ability to raise money, have strong name recognition, and have experience campaigning. I am very excited now for this opportunity because all three of these aspects are now strengths I can offer the Democratic Party as their candidate for state representative in 51B.
As a life-long Minnesotan I understand the deep values of our state. The current trying times illustrate why we need a state that works for the people who make it great. My personal and professional life have given me the grounding to provide leadership that will benefit District 51B. That is why I am running for the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Watch Jeff's Video.
Holly Jenkins
Hello! I have been a resident of district 51B in Eagan since 1999 when my husband and I choose this community to raise our family. We have been delighted to be part of school district 196 with both of our children attending Northview Elementary, Dakota Hills Middle School, and Eagan High School. We have enjoyed Eagan’s wonderful recreation amenities and green spaces which are valuable assets in our community.
I have an MBA in Finance from the UofM’s Carlson School of Management and worked for several years at Piper Jaffray before transitioning to nonprofit work. I have been an engaged citizen for the past seven years with government at the county, regional, and state level. I established an environmental nonprofit, Wilderness in the City, in 2013, and also serve as an active Board member for the Friends of the Boundary Waters. I am an active member with the League of Women Voters and a guest host on a longstanding community television program, Access to Democracy.
When I think about running for office, I think about quality of life and the health and well-being of all, especially children of all backgrounds. They are our future and our future depends on their success. We must provide them a path forward with opportunities for a successful future. That is my priority.
We need competent leaders who are committed to a sustainable future as we face challenging decisions in years ahead. Quality education, living wage jobs, affordable housing, access to quality health care, clean water, and a healthy environment – this is about quality of life for all and decisions made today must result in reduced, not increased, disparities. That is why I am running for office.
In 2016 I ran my first campaign for an open seat on the Dakota County Board. Running in a nonpartisan campaign provided me with a valuable opportunity to talk with many people of all backgrounds and party affiliations. I can tell you that our communities are not as polarized as our legislature. So, to make progress, we must break down some of the hyper-partisanship at the State level and the way to do that is by truly bringing the public’s voice back to the legislature. I have been, and will continue to be, a strong proponent for transparency. I will raise the bar on accountability to voters, and I will bring the public’s voice back to the legislature.
In that race, I made it through the primary, and for the overall results in Eagan, I won all but one precinct against a formidable and well known opponent. And ALL of those precincts are in 51B.
I will keep this district blue and with tenacity advance our values in the State Legislature. I would be honored to earn your support as the DFL endorsed candidate for MN House 51B.
Watch Holly's Video.
Hello! I have been a resident of district 51B in Eagan since 1999 when my husband and I choose this community to raise our family. We have been delighted to be part of school district 196 with both of our children attending Northview Elementary, Dakota Hills Middle School, and Eagan High School. We have enjoyed Eagan’s wonderful recreation amenities and green spaces which are valuable assets in our community.
I have an MBA in Finance from the UofM’s Carlson School of Management and worked for several years at Piper Jaffray before transitioning to nonprofit work. I have been an engaged citizen for the past seven years with government at the county, regional, and state level. I established an environmental nonprofit, Wilderness in the City, in 2013, and also serve as an active Board member for the Friends of the Boundary Waters. I am an active member with the League of Women Voters and a guest host on a longstanding community television program, Access to Democracy.
When I think about running for office, I think about quality of life and the health and well-being of all, especially children of all backgrounds. They are our future and our future depends on their success. We must provide them a path forward with opportunities for a successful future. That is my priority.
We need competent leaders who are committed to a sustainable future as we face challenging decisions in years ahead. Quality education, living wage jobs, affordable housing, access to quality health care, clean water, and a healthy environment – this is about quality of life for all and decisions made today must result in reduced, not increased, disparities. That is why I am running for office.
In 2016 I ran my first campaign for an open seat on the Dakota County Board. Running in a nonpartisan campaign provided me with a valuable opportunity to talk with many people of all backgrounds and party affiliations. I can tell you that our communities are not as polarized as our legislature. So, to make progress, we must break down some of the hyper-partisanship at the State level and the way to do that is by truly bringing the public’s voice back to the legislature. I have been, and will continue to be, a strong proponent for transparency. I will raise the bar on accountability to voters, and I will bring the public’s voice back to the legislature.
In that race, I made it through the primary, and for the overall results in Eagan, I won all but one precinct against a formidable and well known opponent. And ALL of those precincts are in 51B.
I will keep this district blue and with tenacity advance our values in the State Legislature. I would be honored to earn your support as the DFL endorsed candidate for MN House 51B.
Watch Holly's Video.
Mike Maguire
My wife Janelle Waldock and I have been married and lived in Eagan for 25 years. For almost 20 of those 25 years it has been my honor and my privilege to serve the people of Eagan on the Eagan City Council and as the longest serving mayor in Eagan’s history.
Professionally, before I became mayor, I worked in public affairs and health advocacy with the Minnesota Department of Health and for the American Cancer Society. Janelle has worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota here in Eagan for nearly 20 years, where she leads policy efforts to address health equity. Together, we have a son Ian who is a senior at the School of Environmental Studies and a high-strung beagle named Coffee. He barks . . . a lot.
I am proud of my record and the work we’ve done together to make Eagan a successful city and a strong, welcoming community. I have been in elected leadership celebrating some of Eagan’s biggest successes and helping to make difficult decisions through some of our most challenging times as well. I look forward to taking my record of success and pragmatic nonpartisan leadership to St. Paul and continuing to serve the people of district 51B and their families.
With election day 2020 less than six months away we face some of our most challenging times ever. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and the surprise decision of my friend Laurie Halverson, this election year was setting up to be a political storm of partisan division running downhill from the presidency that could make our politics even more toxic than they’ve been for the last three years of the Trump administration. Now, we are faced with a pandemic that is attacking the most vulnerable among us, laying bare our most jarring inequities and threatening the economic security of many of our friends and neighbors in district 51B. Times like these call for our DFL principles and leadership.
In a shortened campaign like we have now, the DFL should be looking for the best, most proven candidate to help ensure the legacy of Representative Halverson and keep 51B blue. Our candidate must be familiar to and trusted by the voters of 51B, have experience running successful campaigns, fundraising and winning. But beyond that our candidate should have the policy making and governance experience that will be required to hit the ground running in St. Paul for what is sure to be a challenging time.
I’m running because as a candidate I have these qualifications. Voters in 51B have known and trusted me for almost twenty years, helping me to be a top vote getter in Eagan. I have a demonstrated ability to do the necessary fundraising to run winning and successful campaigns. And in over a decade as Mayor of Eagan I’ve developed the local, regional and statewide network of policy leaders and legislators that will help me move seamlessly into the Minnesota State House.
In my time as mayor I have fostered collaboration between citizens, the city and our Eagan businesses to find solutions and move Eagan forward. I have been an advocate in Eagan, our region and on Governor Dayton’s Housing Task force for affordable housing as a foundation for community vitality and individual economic opportunity and security. I’ve worked to foster a community-of-connection where public and private sector interests embrace our diversity and value our connections to one another.
These are the principles and values that have guided me and my work on behalf of the people and families of Eagan for almost 20 years and I look forward to the opportunity to put them to work in St. Paul for you.
Watch Mike's video.
My wife Janelle Waldock and I have been married and lived in Eagan for 25 years. For almost 20 of those 25 years it has been my honor and my privilege to serve the people of Eagan on the Eagan City Council and as the longest serving mayor in Eagan’s history.
Professionally, before I became mayor, I worked in public affairs and health advocacy with the Minnesota Department of Health and for the American Cancer Society. Janelle has worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota here in Eagan for nearly 20 years, where she leads policy efforts to address health equity. Together, we have a son Ian who is a senior at the School of Environmental Studies and a high-strung beagle named Coffee. He barks . . . a lot.
I am proud of my record and the work we’ve done together to make Eagan a successful city and a strong, welcoming community. I have been in elected leadership celebrating some of Eagan’s biggest successes and helping to make difficult decisions through some of our most challenging times as well. I look forward to taking my record of success and pragmatic nonpartisan leadership to St. Paul and continuing to serve the people of district 51B and their families.
With election day 2020 less than six months away we face some of our most challenging times ever. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and the surprise decision of my friend Laurie Halverson, this election year was setting up to be a political storm of partisan division running downhill from the presidency that could make our politics even more toxic than they’ve been for the last three years of the Trump administration. Now, we are faced with a pandemic that is attacking the most vulnerable among us, laying bare our most jarring inequities and threatening the economic security of many of our friends and neighbors in district 51B. Times like these call for our DFL principles and leadership.
In a shortened campaign like we have now, the DFL should be looking for the best, most proven candidate to help ensure the legacy of Representative Halverson and keep 51B blue. Our candidate must be familiar to and trusted by the voters of 51B, have experience running successful campaigns, fundraising and winning. But beyond that our candidate should have the policy making and governance experience that will be required to hit the ground running in St. Paul for what is sure to be a challenging time.
I’m running because as a candidate I have these qualifications. Voters in 51B have known and trusted me for almost twenty years, helping me to be a top vote getter in Eagan. I have a demonstrated ability to do the necessary fundraising to run winning and successful campaigns. And in over a decade as Mayor of Eagan I’ve developed the local, regional and statewide network of policy leaders and legislators that will help me move seamlessly into the Minnesota State House.
In my time as mayor I have fostered collaboration between citizens, the city and our Eagan businesses to find solutions and move Eagan forward. I have been an advocate in Eagan, our region and on Governor Dayton’s Housing Task force for affordable housing as a foundation for community vitality and individual economic opportunity and security. I’ve worked to foster a community-of-connection where public and private sector interests embrace our diversity and value our connections to one another.
These are the principles and values that have guided me and my work on behalf of the people and families of Eagan for almost 20 years and I look forward to the opportunity to put them to work in St. Paul for you.
Watch Mike's video.
Electronic Ballot Frequently Asked Questions
What's ranked choice voting? Since there are multiple candidates seeking endorsement for HD51B, ranked choice voting is being used. Click here to learn more about Ranked Choice Voting.
What happens if I change my mind about my vote? You can redo your ballot as many times as you want until voting closes on June 1. The last ballot you cast is the ballot that will be used.
What happens if my connection fails or I get kicked out halfway through my ballot? You will need to start over.
Can I save my ballot partway through and come back to it? No, you can't. You have to complete the ballot in one sitting.
What's my special delegate number? It will be in the electronic ballot email from the State DFL. Without your unique delegate number you cannot cast your ballot. If you can't find it, fill out the form below and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
I didn't get my ballot email, what do I do? Check your spam! If you can't find it, fill out the form below and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
I want to vote for national delegates or run for national delegate. How do I do that? Please check out this page on the State DFL website: https://www.dfl.org/caucuses-conventions/dnc/ You can also contact Joy at outreach@dflcd2.org for information on how to run for national delegate.
I'm interested in running to be an officer or a director for SD51. When do I do that? When the central committee is able to meet in person again, the first order of business will be to elect officers. The nominating committee will convene closer to when we are able to meet in person. This will be announced via email.
I have another question that hasn't been answered here. Check out the State DFL website to see if it's answered there! If you still have a question, enter it in the form below, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
What's ranked choice voting? Since there are multiple candidates seeking endorsement for HD51B, ranked choice voting is being used. Click here to learn more about Ranked Choice Voting.
What happens if I change my mind about my vote? You can redo your ballot as many times as you want until voting closes on June 1. The last ballot you cast is the ballot that will be used.
What happens if my connection fails or I get kicked out halfway through my ballot? You will need to start over.
Can I save my ballot partway through and come back to it? No, you can't. You have to complete the ballot in one sitting.
What's my special delegate number? It will be in the electronic ballot email from the State DFL. Without your unique delegate number you cannot cast your ballot. If you can't find it, fill out the form below and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
I didn't get my ballot email, what do I do? Check your spam! If you can't find it, fill out the form below and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
I want to vote for national delegates or run for national delegate. How do I do that? Please check out this page on the State DFL website: https://www.dfl.org/caucuses-conventions/dnc/ You can also contact Joy at outreach@dflcd2.org for information on how to run for national delegate.
I'm interested in running to be an officer or a director for SD51. When do I do that? When the central committee is able to meet in person again, the first order of business will be to elect officers. The nominating committee will convene closer to when we are able to meet in person. This will be announced via email.
I have another question that hasn't been answered here. Check out the State DFL website to see if it's answered there! If you still have a question, enter it in the form below, and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
Prepared and paid for by Senate District 51 DFL Committee, Lisa Noah, Chair, PO Box 21222, Eagan, MN 55121, Not in conjunction with any candidate or campaign committee.
Copyright 2020 Senate District 51 DFL
Copyright 2020 Senate District 51 DFL